Liquid storing and dispensing device



Nov. 1, 1938. E. R. ESSERY LIQUID STORING AND DISP ENSING DEVICE Filed June 12, 1937 m w M w 6 L a w .m 6 w E m 21 m m w k m mn Z 4 1 w 1 F} B #1 w M u m J m m w .u m m I u a 1 m m ATTORN EY Patented Nov. 1, 1938 UNITED STATES Search Room PATENT OFFICE LIQUID STORING AND DISPENSING DEVICE Evan R. Essery, Maywood, 111., assignor to Standard Oil Company, Chicago, 111., a corporation of Indiana Application June 12, 1937, Serial No. 147,973

2 Claims.

This invention relates to liquid storing and dispensing devices and particularly to lubricating oil storing and dispensing devices known commercially as lubesters.

The lubesters commonly used are individual tanks, usually 15, 30 or gallons nominal capacity equipped with dispensing pumps. Typically, three grades of lubricating oil of each of three brands must be stored and dispensed, thus requiring a very substantial outlay and utilizing a large amount of wall space.

It is an object of my invention to reduce greatly the amount of floor space and particularly the amount of wallspace required for storing and dispensing lubricating oils or other liquids. Another object of my invention is to produce an economical and highly convenient device for storing and dispensing such products. Qther and more detailed objects of my invention will become apparent as the description thereof proceeds.

I accomplish these objects by replacing a plurality of lubesters, for instance nine, with a single, inexpensive, compact and convenient device having a number of drawer-like tanks arranged in tiers above each other. In a preferred embodiment my device is 38% inches wide, 29 inches deep and 71 inches high. It replaces individual lubesters occupying about inches, thus saving about 60% of the wall space formerly used. Similar savings are effected by units made in other sizes.

My invention will be described more completely with reference to the accompanying drawing which co'nstitutes a part of this specification and which shows a preferred form of my invention. In the drawing:

Figure 1 is a perspective view of my device;

Figure 2 is a sectional elevation taken along the line 2-2 of Figure 1;

Figure 3 is a sectional elevation taken along the line 3--3 of Figure 2; and

Figure 4 is a plan of one of the drawer-like tanks of my device, showing also the stop mechanism.

Referring to the drawing in more detail, a metal frame I l is provided with apertures and supports l2 for a plurality of drawer-like tanks l3 disposed in tiers. There are preferably at least two rows of at least two tanks each. The drawer-like tanks l3 can be pulled out and slide on supports I2. Reinforced runners l4 (Figure 3) are provided at the bottoms of the tanks. In larger sizes I prefer to use roller bearings to facilitate the pulling out of the drawer-like tanks.

Frame II is provided with stops l5 (Figures 2 and 4) which limit the extent to which the tanks can be pulled out. The stop mechanism becomes operative when the downward projection I6 thereof contacts the back portion ll of the tank (Figure 2). When a tank is thus pulled out as shown in Figure 1 it can be filled through an opening L8 which is preferably provided with a hinged cover l9. Stop I5 is of such length that, when the tank is pulled out to the stop position, cover l9 can be raised without hitting the faucet of the next higher tank. At the same time the stop mechanism must be short enough so that it will not hit cover l9 when the drawer-like tank is pushed back into the frame. Filling opening l8 can be made tamper-proof by inserting a lock or seal through eye 20.

Gauging can be conducted through filling opening I 8 but I prefer to use a gauge 2| depending through a small opening in the top of the tank and supported by handle 22.

The drawer-like tanks are pulled out from the frame only for filling and gauging. Dispensing is accomplished by gravity flow through faucets 23 located at the lower, front exterior of each tank and communicating with the interior thereof. Preferably, a detachable faucet handle 24 is used and this is kept in the pocket of the attendant to avoid unauthorized withdrawal of oil. Dripless faucets are preferred. A spring cover at the bottom of the faucet spout can be usedto avoid any drip.

To facilitate gravity flow tanks I3 are provided with sloping bottoms 25 (Figures 2 and 3). A slope of 2 inches in 28 inches is suitable. This is on the basis of 17 gallon tanks.

There is a tendency for the oil or other liquid to surge and slosh when the tanks are pulled out. This is controlled by baffles 26 within each tank.

In a preferred embodiment the sides of my frame are closed by panels 21 and the top is, of course, closed. The back may suitably be left open. Stops I5 can be lifted to the dotted line position of Figure 2 by means of lift rods 30 which pass under all of the stops of one tier of tanks and which project through slots 3| in side panels 21. By lifting these rods into the horizontal portions of slots 3| the stops are released and the tanks can be withdrawn from frame ll.

Thus the tanks can be used as shipping containers, a full tank being delivered to replace an empty one which is taken away for refilling.

The bottom tier of tanks should be elevated so as to facilitate dispensing therefrom. This can be increased as the need arises by adding another unit alongside the old ones from time to time. In so doing side panel 2'! can be removed and placed on the outside unit.

While I have described my invention in connection with a specific embodiment thereof, it is to be understood that this is by way of illustration rather than by way of limitation and my invention is limited only to the subject matter of the appended claims which should be construed as broadly as the prior art will permit.

I claim:

l. A lubricating oil storing and dispensing device comprising a compact, upright frame provided with apertures and supports constructed and arranged to receive a plurality of drawerlike tanks disposed in tiers, a plurality of drawerlike tanks disposed in tiers within said apertures, said tanks having portions for sliding cooperation with said supports whereby any one of said tanks can be pulled out from said frame for filling and gauging, a faucet for each of said tanks located at the lower, front exterior portion thereof, whereby liquid can be dispensed from any one of said tanks without pulling said tank out from said frame, said tanks being substantially closed on top except for filling openings located near the fronts of the tops of said tanks, said filling openings being provided with hinged covers carried by the tops of said tanks, said frame being provided with stops to limit the extent to which said tanks can be pulled out from said frame, said stops being operative at a point where the cover of a lower tank, when the tank is pulled out to the stop position and the cover is raised, will clear the faucet of the next higher tank.

2. A liquid storing and dispensing device comprising a compact upright frame provided with apertures and supports constructed and arranged to receive a plurality of drawer-like tanks disposed in tiers, a plurality of drawer-like tanks disposed in tiers within said apertures, said tanks having portions for cooperation with said supports whereby any one of said tanks can be pulled out from said frame for filling and gauging through an opening provided in the topof the tank near the front thereof, a Iaucet'for each of said tanks located at the lower front exterior portion thereof, whereby liquid can be dispensed from any of said tanks without pulling said tank from. said frame, and a plurality of releasable stops associated with said frarne to limit the extent to which said tanks can be pulled out.

EVAN R. ESSERY. 

